Hundreds of people were turned away at the polls in Oldham when they went to cast their votes in the general election on July 4.

Figures released by the Electoral Commission have revealed how many people were turned away at Oldham polling stations, along with how many returned and were allowed to vote.

Many people were turned away from July’s general election for not having an acceptable form of photographic ID.

The figures show that in total, 490 people were initially turned away at polling stations in Oldham, with 312 coming from Oldham East and Saddleworth and 178 coming from Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton.

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Of the 312 people were who turned away in Oldham East and Saddleworth, 190 returned, while 122 did not.

Of the 190 that returned, 95 were issued with a ballot paper.

Meanwhile, in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, of the 178 people were who turned away, 106  returned, 53 of whom were given a ballot paper.

The figures from the Electoral Commission also showed that 27,605 people voted in person at a polling station in Oldham East and Saddleworth, while 30,384 voted in person in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton.

Nationally, around 16,000 people could not vote in the general election because of the photo ID requirements, while others were put off from going to the ballot box entirely.

The Electoral Commission said 0.08 per cent of people who tried to vote in Great Britain were unable to do so on July 4.

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Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said: “This was the first time all voters across the UK were required to show photographic ID at a general election, and the data shows almost everyone was able to do so successfully.

“However, our research shows that the need for ID discouraged some people from voting – and we don’t want to see any voters lose their say.

“Public awareness of the need for voter ID is high across the UK, but there are still groups of voters that are less likely to be aware of the need to show ID or that do not have an accepted form.”

In its election manifesto, Labour committed to “address the inconsistencies in voter ID rules that prevent legitimate voters from voting”.